Award Winners

Click on the name of the Award Winner in the table below to view details on all current and past winners of the Innovation Awards, David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction, and Principal Award. (Video footage of Award winners from 2003 on.)

Developed a safe and efficient way to distribute drug samples. SmartSample® (US and Canadian patents pending) replaces traditional pharmaceutical samples with a specialized prescription that physicians can endorse and give to patients.

Discovered that 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) could be used with light therapy to treat pre-cancerous and other skin conditions. Outcomes of their work include, Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy, used to successfully treat the pre-cancerous skin condition, actinic keratosis, acne, and is being investigated for the treatment of other skin conditions, cancers and infections.

Invented and developed some of the worlds most widely used data compression technologies for digital communications. His innovations enable efficient data and image transmission saving time for tasks such as Web browsing, attachment downloads, and saving battery power in wireless devices.

Mr. McNamara is the visionary and lead architect of Siren ePCR™ Suite, the worlds most used electronic reporting system for paramedics and other first responders. His system replaces unwieldy paper forms with a tablet computer, securely connected via a wireless intranet to hospitals and 911 dispatch systems.

Their revolutionary work in mercury monitoring lead to their development of the first practical continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) system. The Tekran® Series 3300 mercury CEM operates automatically 24/7, to detect various forms of the mercury in smoke stack gas.

Developed a drug-delivery technique that has revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and advanced the science of localized drug delivery. Over 1.8 million TAXUS TM paclitaxel-eluting stents were implanted in patients in the first two years after approval, helping treat CAD, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.

Developed an ultrasound microimaging system used around the globe in developmental biology, cancer and heart disease research. The system produces non-invasive images in real time, allowing researchers to track changes in great detail such as the blood vessels on a live mouse tumour, greatly enhancing the efficiency, humanity and time frame for research.

Invented a way to give subway riders something to look at plus opening up revenue generation opportunities for subway system operators. SideTrack's technology works much like a children's flipbook, with a motion-sensitive lighting system illuminating pictures that riders on the train see as a moving picture.

Developed an automated technology, the iSYS Automated Red-Eye Removal system (ARER), that identifies and realistically recolours "red-eye" in images and is the industry standard used in thousands of photo kiosks, consumer printers, photo minilabs and large central processing labs.

Discovered a unique system to identify compounds with antiviral activity. The drug lamivudine was then shown by Dr. Tyrrell to be a very potent treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and was the first oral antiviral agent licensed to treat this global disease.

Devised methods to effectively monitor the processing and packaging of consumer goods, through his patented wireless detecting products, such as the Crackless Egg and Smart Bottle. Problems in handling equipment may be quickly identified, reducing loss and maintaining product quality.

Developed WebCT, the world's first and most widely used Course Management System. WebCT has empowered educators to develop meaningful on-line learning experiences for students and put Canada on the map as the significant player in the global e-learning market.

Had the vision of integrating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into the neurosurgical operating theatre. The Intra Operative MR System, produced by the Canadian company IMRIS, has changed the way neurosurgery can be done. Images throughout the surgery enhance intraoperative visualization, ensuring, for example, the complete removal of a tumor.

Conceived and patented Safety Turtle, a potentially life-saving wristband for children. The wireless device triggers a remote alarm when immersed in water such as a swimming pool or lake. Adaptable to protect pets, seniors, disabled persons, man overboard and as a flood alert.

Developed a unique non-invasive thermal effusivity sensor that determines the heat-transferring characteristics of a wide range of materials. Mathis Instruments Ltd.'s patented sensors are used by major companies around the world for unprecedented quality control of materials in the laboratory, during production and for the testing of finished goods.

Invented the patented Griffiths Active Bracing System, a one-piece glass fibre unit that forms the structural frame of all Garrison Guitars. The system produces the most affordable, high quality, solid wood acoustic guitar in the world, an instrument with superior sound and playability that makes beautiful music for professional recording artists and beginning players alike.

Invented the original and only code-evaluated, engineered footing form for construction tubes that enables one worker to perform the integral pouring of the footing and the column. Bigfoot Systems' patented, cone-shaped, high-density plastic footing form is used by builders throughout Canada and exported worldwide.

Created the Air Chamber Crab Processor, a machine which provides a cost-effective, safe, and healthy method of removing meat from the hard-shell segments of crab. Edmonds' engineered machine has helped Canada's crab-processing industry more than double in size and is utilized in fish plants around the world.

Designed the architecture for the BlackBerry, the first handheld, totally integrated, wireless e-mail system. BlackBerry is the world's leading wireless enterprise solution for mobile professionals to stay continuously connected to their corporate e-mail, while meeting the security and manageability requirements of IT departments.

Spent nearly 25 years researching, developing and bringing to commercialization the world's first synthetic vaccine that protects infants against Group C meningitis - the most common form of the disease to strike youngsters.

Through their company SMART Technologies, Inc., developed the first interactive whiteboard system to provide touch control of computer applications, annotation over top of standard Windows applications and the ability to save these notes.

Developed a comprehensive oil well bore fluid containment system for drilling and service rigs known as the Kelly Kan/Katch Kan. Since awarded, Katch Kan Ltd. has added further components to create a complete zero spill system, adopted in over 52 countries.

Invented the Adaptive Digital Predistorter, a device which eliminates the distortion of a radio frequency amplifier while maintaining its power. The innovation was the basis of technology now used worldwide for new base-station amplifier designs.

Invented the first microprocessor-controlled automatic tourniquet system for surgery. Today, commercial products based on the innovation are used in an estimated 20,000 surgical procedures daily, in more than 40 countries of the world.

Identified the chemical components of the queen bee pheromone. This allowed for the development of commercial products which could govern bee behaviour and thus dramatically increase pollination and crop yields.

Advanced the built-in vacuum industry with his innovative add-on, the VacPan. This built-in dustpan permits easy cleanups from the kitchen and other floors, with the cleaning power of a central vacuum system.

Designed SolarWall, a solar heating system for use in both residential and commercial applications. An innovation ahead of its time, SolarWall systems are now installed in over 20 countries, counting Wal-Mart and the U.S. Army among their clients.

Devised the gene machine, a ubiquitous and essential tool used by both frontier researchers and undergraduate students to study natural and modified DNA and RNA. Dr. Ogilvie furthermore developed the drug ganciclovir, crucially used in organ transplant surgeries to prevent organ rejection.

Discovered two protein factors in the frog egg, significantly contributing to the understanding of cell division activities. This discovery had a major impact on cancer research, with recent anti-cancer drugs developed based on the knowledge of cell division mechanisms.

Isolated and identified a heart hormone, ANF. This discovery has had great significance in improving methods of treating high blood pressure and heart disease; as attested to in more than 15,000 scientific papers.

Devised a genetic system that led to the cultivation of barley and wheat in much less time than conventional breeding methods. Money from his Manning award was used in part to establish a perpetual scholarship for students in biotechnology.